Drizzt
Member
Webster woman finds taking elk with rifle better than with vehicle
By Eric Burgess
American News Sports Writer
Linda Coyle never thought of herself as being much of a hunter, but a vehicle collision with an elk more than nine years ago changed that.
A run-in with a cow elk on a Black Hills road gave the Webster resident an idea of just how large and majestic the animal is. Shortly after her accident Coyle began applying for a Black Hills elk rifle tag, and a dream that started nearly a decade ago came to fruition on Oct. 1 when she harvested a 6x6 bull south of Custer on opening day of the season.
"I never really had any luck hunting before this," Coyle said. "I tried deer hunting, but never really had any luck. This was my first time hunting elk. We ran into one about nine years ago and it broke our windshield. After that I wanted to try and shoot an elk."
Coyle, 45, pointed out that it was more than just beginner's luck that led to her taking a nice bull her first time out. She was fortunate enough to hunt with a lifelong outdoorsman and somebody who had previous success when it came to pursuing elk, her husband Grant.
Coyle said she would not have shot the bull without her husband's help.
"I give him quite a bit of the credit for helping me get the elk," added Coyle. "He was my guide. He shot a spike bull in 1996, and we were hunting fairly close to the area where he got that one."
Coyle's brother-in-law, Mike Coyle of Rapid City, was hunting in the area with a different group, but was happy to respond when he was informed that Linda had connected with a nice bull.
Linda Coyle quickly learned that elk hunting, and big game hunting in general, is not all about finding one's quarry and pulling the trigger. Once an animal is down, the real work begins.
Hunting in 90-degree temperatures, instant action was needed to skin and pack the elk to prevent the meat from spoiling.
"When you hunt elk you have to be prepared," Coyle said. "It involves spending some money. We are paying a taxidermist to mount the head. The meat had to be packed and kept cool, so we had to pay to have that done. But it was definitely a fun experience and I'm very glad that I did it."
Coyle pointed out that harvesting an elk opened her eyes to the possibility of trying to pursue other big game species, particularly deer. She might even try to hunt elk again, but only time will tell if that happens.
"I would like to try it again, but it depends on my age," said Coyle. "I can't even apply for a tag until nine years from now, and even then I'm far from being guaranteed one. I just don't know if I will physically be able to hunt elk then. That's why I'm extremely grateful to have been fortunate enough to draw a tag this year and actually get one. It was a very exciting experience."
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/sports/13019803.htm
By Eric Burgess
American News Sports Writer
Linda Coyle never thought of herself as being much of a hunter, but a vehicle collision with an elk more than nine years ago changed that.
A run-in with a cow elk on a Black Hills road gave the Webster resident an idea of just how large and majestic the animal is. Shortly after her accident Coyle began applying for a Black Hills elk rifle tag, and a dream that started nearly a decade ago came to fruition on Oct. 1 when she harvested a 6x6 bull south of Custer on opening day of the season.
"I never really had any luck hunting before this," Coyle said. "I tried deer hunting, but never really had any luck. This was my first time hunting elk. We ran into one about nine years ago and it broke our windshield. After that I wanted to try and shoot an elk."
Coyle, 45, pointed out that it was more than just beginner's luck that led to her taking a nice bull her first time out. She was fortunate enough to hunt with a lifelong outdoorsman and somebody who had previous success when it came to pursuing elk, her husband Grant.
Coyle said she would not have shot the bull without her husband's help.
"I give him quite a bit of the credit for helping me get the elk," added Coyle. "He was my guide. He shot a spike bull in 1996, and we were hunting fairly close to the area where he got that one."
Coyle's brother-in-law, Mike Coyle of Rapid City, was hunting in the area with a different group, but was happy to respond when he was informed that Linda had connected with a nice bull.
Linda Coyle quickly learned that elk hunting, and big game hunting in general, is not all about finding one's quarry and pulling the trigger. Once an animal is down, the real work begins.
Hunting in 90-degree temperatures, instant action was needed to skin and pack the elk to prevent the meat from spoiling.
"When you hunt elk you have to be prepared," Coyle said. "It involves spending some money. We are paying a taxidermist to mount the head. The meat had to be packed and kept cool, so we had to pay to have that done. But it was definitely a fun experience and I'm very glad that I did it."
Coyle pointed out that harvesting an elk opened her eyes to the possibility of trying to pursue other big game species, particularly deer. She might even try to hunt elk again, but only time will tell if that happens.
"I would like to try it again, but it depends on my age," said Coyle. "I can't even apply for a tag until nine years from now, and even then I'm far from being guaranteed one. I just don't know if I will physically be able to hunt elk then. That's why I'm extremely grateful to have been fortunate enough to draw a tag this year and actually get one. It was a very exciting experience."
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/sports/13019803.htm
That doesn't make much sense.
